Rejection can be mentally and emotionally draining! No one likes them, but at the same time, it is a part of life. Some of the most successful stories have been from initial failures which were turned around through sheer passion and perseverance. If you encountered rejection in the last application, don’t worry, take a step back and introspect on your last experience. Read more: https://thembaedge.com/blogs/navigating-the-reapplication-journey/

1. Navigating The Reapplication Journey
Rejection can be mentally and emotionally draining! No one likes them, but at the same
time, it is a part of life. Some of the most successful stories have been from initial
failures which were turned around through sheer passion and perseverance.
If you encountered rejection in the last application, don’t worry, take a step back and
introspect on your last experience.
What to do next?
First, analyze the reason for rejection. A good starting point can be reaching out to the
admissions committee, however, not all would be open to providing feedback. In case
they do, admission committee members when evaluating your reapplication, look at
how well you addressed the concerns provided in the feedback.
Secondly, when the new program’s new class profile is published, benchmark your
application against the median to see if you were competitive in the application pool.
While historical class profiles can also be a good indicator, do note that the application

2. pool varies year on year and hence there are chances that old data may not yield an
effective peer analysis.
Lastly, taking an independent third-party analysis of your application can go a long way
in helping you understand your areas of improvement. Typically, this can be from MBA
admission consultants, members of the school community such as current students /
alumni or even some one within your professional network. Application analysis from
personal acquaintances can be biased and hence its recommended to not take them
from members of your personal circle.
Areas of Improvement
Following can be some of the broad buckets under which you can focus your
reapplication efforts:
1. Fit for the program
Most business schools look for candidates who are strong fit to their community and
their culture, hence it is vital to demonstrate this fit through the application. This can

3. often be done by analyzing their core values and thinking about how they match with
your personal values. Enunciating specific instances in your life where you would have
demonstrated these values can go a long way in convincing the admissions committee
about your fit.
Additionally, for a professional fit, you must tap into the unique features of the program
you are applying for and how it will help you achieve your goals. To answer this question,
the first step is self-evaluation. The first of the many questions must be ‘What are my
aspirations?’, ‘How will a certain program help me accomplish these?’ The second step
must be browsing the school’s website and analyzing its curriculum and programs.
Attend on-campus information sessions, or zoom lives, and get in touch with school
representatives, and current students. Additionally, have a look at the faculty profile. Is
there a particular professor whose classes you would like to attend? How will it benefit
you? Also, have a look at the placement profile of the graduating batch. Is it in line with
your aspirations? Are they in your dream profile? Or a dream company? Adding these
aspects to your re-application profile will give it an edge.
2. Whether your test score/GPA was on the lower end of the application
pool
If the average GPA of the school you have applied to is 3.5, and your GPA is 3.2, or if the
average GMAT is 720 and yours is 680, that factor could have potentially worked against
you. Business schools use your test scores and your academics to determine your
potential to perform in the vigour of the MBA program. There is an expectation that you
demonstrate a strong academic aptitude to ensure that you don’t have to struggle with
the coursework, since that can substantially reduce the quality of your experience during
the course. Thus, having test scores that fall broadly in the median range, even better if
they are a couple of points above the median score, of the class will send a strong signal
that you will be able deliver on your academic expectations.
Additionally, taking extra academic coursework such as certifications, diplomas or
signing up for additional course related classes will send a strong positive signal
regarding your academic aptitude.

4. 3. The ‘why we should admit you’ factor
This is related to your personal brand (Read: The Importance of Personal Branding). The
schools want to know who they are admitting, what makes them unique, and a how
they will add value to their cohort and the broader community during their MBA. The
personal brand can be a differentiating factor to help you stand out from a competitive
pool of applicants. Spend time on building you brand by focusing on key themes, some
questions to ponder upon include ‘What makes me unique?’, ‘What are my strong
suits?’, ‘What is the impact I have created in my community?’, ‘Have I volunteered?’, ‘Am
I a first-generation graduate?’, ‘Do I have unique hobbies or personal interests?’ among
others. Pondering on some of the above aspects will go a long way in helping you create
an impression with the admissions committee. Always remember, the likeability factors
should be one of the most crucial elements of your personal brand.
4. You belonged to an over-represented segment
DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) tends to be the hallmark of the MBA cohort. Hence,
Business schools look at diversity as one of the key elements of their incoming class due
to which certain overrepresented segments can be at a significant disadvantage in the

5. application process. Diversity is not just limited to gender, ethnicity, nationality, it also
entails diversity of thought process, and hence that can be a critical element to be
stressed upon by candidates that belong to the overrepresented segments. Showcasing
how you differently view certain situations, problems, and how you interpret things in
manner which is not the usual norm can go a long way in making you stand out from
your pool.
Additionally, striving for above median test scores, endorsements from senior leadership
within your organization, undertaking leadership roles, and working in multicultural high
impact projects will add weight to your application if you come from an
over-represented segment.
5. Among many other parameters!
This evaluation can help you understand the potential areas of improvement you can
work upon. Use the interim time to work on these areas: gaining more international
experience through projects, pivoting into a new function, getting a promotion, or even
a job change. Your action will show our commitment to the school.

6. Do reach out to members of the school community to network to establish your brand.
The insights they provide during your coffee chat can help you add a unique flavour to
your application. Harvard, for example, says, “Reapplicants do not have an advantage or
disadvantage in comparison to other applicants.” Stanford on the other hand states, “We
will evaluate your new application on its merits in the context of the new applicant pool.
It is likely that the person reviewing your application has not seen your previous one. We
do have access to previous applications, however, and may choose whether to review
and consider them before making a final decision.”
For reapplication, it is always good to remember the school will compare your current
application with your previous application, so be mindful of your story. It will be in your
best interest not to take a 180-degree turn on the application but talk about how you
have worked on your weaknesses to strengthen your profile and how you can add
immense value to the classroom. Try to get an unbiased evaluation of your new
application in the context of your old application as that can be crucial.
Most schools keep your previous application on file for 1-2 years (depending on the
program) and hence if you feel you need time to improve your application beyond the
above-mentioned time frame, your application will be considered a fresh application
and there will be no reference to your previous application.
When to reapply?
As a reapplicant, it I best to apply in the first round. In fact, this is even mandatory in
some places. To be sure you must evaluate the criteria for every school. However, if you
need time to rebuild your application and add more credentials to it, then applying in
the second round maybe given a consideration or you can even think about applying in
the subsequent cycle when you will be considered as a fresh applicant.
The reapplication journey can be tricky and hence it is advisable to follow disciplined
approach to ensure success.
Reach out to us at info@thembaedge.com to have a 1×1 discussion regarding your
reapplication.

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